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Let’s Talk About Petroleum Part 2: Cosmetics

The cosmetic industry is a no-brainer when it comes to products containing petroleum-derived ingredients; therefore it was an obvious choice for my mini-series on petroleum. Deciding which petroleum-polluted products to analyze, now that was a bit more challenging. “In 1907 Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, meaning it contained no molecules found in nature” (ChemHeritage.org) so the world has had an abundance of time since then to creatively sneak petroleum into virtually every industry in existence. Plastics were just the beginning of a thriving career for Petroleum and cosmetics have been an inevitable stop along the way.

For Part 2 of the “Let’s Talk About Petroleum” series, I’m going to analyze 3 primary cosmetic products most people come into contact with on a daily basis. Though I was tempted, investigating every single cosmetic product under the sun was out of the question. Petroleum has become too prevalent in our world to be able to complete that endeavor in one lifetime. So, the three cosmetic products I will be analyzing are Lotion, Lip Balm/Lipstick/Lip Gloss, and Toothpaste.

As complicated as most ingredient labels have become these days, the majority of people probably aren’t even aware of its presence in these products let alone the entire cosmetic industry. Be prepared for some pretty shocking insight into the world of cosmetics.

I know that the word “cosmetic” is most often translated as meaning “makeup” only, but it actually includes a variety of products that can pertain to both men and women. Even though the Lipstick and Lip Gloss sections of this article are entirely directed at the female demographic, I can guarantee that an equal amount of discussion is devoted to lip balm, which easily pertains to both genders. Who knows, you might even find a good alternative product to the one you’re using now (I certainly hope so!). So don’t tune out just yet, boys, you might be interested in what I have to share.

Both men and women alike use each product listed on a daily basis, yet the majority are unaware of what every ingredient label actually contains. Truthfully, I could analyze each ingredient present on the labels of multiple specific products and shed some serious light on their true quality, but for the sake of this mini-series, I’m only going to highlight petroleum-derived ingredients.

Unfortunately, all three of the previously mentioned products have been produced with petroleum derivatives thanks to a multitude of brands. Here we are in the supposedly advanced 21st Century yet it is more difficult to find clean, healthy products at your average retailer than it is petroleum-laden products.

Personally, I believe this to be the saddest part about the cosmetic industry nowadays. These massive corporations make poor quality products, some even carcinogenic (cancer-causing), readily available to the consumer and yet the good-quality, organic products are frequently banned by the FDA for illegitimate reasons!

Despite this unfortunate reality, I am happy to announce that I have found clean, natural solutions to each of the 3 cosmetic problem products I am discussing in this article (the majority of these solutions have been tested by your truly). I can’t point out a problem and then do absolutely nothing to help fix it, especially when finding a truly good product is such a struggle. I want each of my readers to know that avoiding carcinogens (like petroleum) is not impossible if you know where to shop and what to buy.

After 8 years of research, I have had plenty of time to not only understand the very relevant problem at hand, but to reverse it entirely in my own life, as well. My goal in writing this article is to help others learn how to reverse it too. All it takes is the motivation to make the necessary changes and the drive to stay consistent with it in every aspect of their life. This may sound overwhelming, but it is actually much easier than you might think if you take it slowly…‘one product at a time’ is a good strategy to have when handling the cosmetic industry.

Let’s begin by analyzing a product necessary in the everyday lives of men and women alike…Lotion.

Whether it is hand lotion, face lotion, or body lotion, we all need it if we don’t want dry, cracked skin! But, before you use some random product you need to make sure petroleum isn’t a component of the ingredient label.

***Side Note: If you use a lotion product not discussed, please comment below and I’ll be more than happy to help you determine whether or not you should switch brands.

Three lotion brands I see most often advertised and stocked by retailers here in the U.S. are Neutrogena, Lubriderm, and Jergens (although I feel like these are pretty universal companies). And yes, all three contain at least one petroleum-derived ingredient. Neutrogena Body Lotion contains an ingredient called PEG-100 Stearate, which despite its complicated name is actually “a synthetic polymer made by combining Oxirane (Ethylene Oxide) and fatty acids (source)” (Truth in Aging). If it’s synthetic, you can pretty much guarantee that it’s bad for you. Oxirane (Ethylene Oxide) is a petroleum derivative and occurs in the form of “a flammable colorless gas with a sweet odor. It is used primarily to produce other chemicals, including Anti-freeze…The ability of Ethylene Oxide to damage DNA makes it an effective sterilizing agent but also accounts for its cancer-causing activity…Lymphoma and leukemia are the cancers most frequently reported to be associated with occupational exposure to ethylene oxide” (Cancer.gov).

Notice at the end of this quote, the National Cancer Institute cites ‘occupational exposure’ as a main cause. Translation: industrial factories with dangerous amounts of this chemical present in the environment. What leaves me completely shocked is the fact that while factory workers are forced to face conditions with ethylene oxide exposure, Neutrogena is purposefully using PEG-100 Stearate in their product, therefore exposing all of their consumers to a dangerous and potentially life-threatening chemical. The icing on the cake is the fact that despite extensive research, the only discovery scientists have been able to make about this particular ingredient is that it does not serve any beneficial purpose for the human body. Whether PEG-100 Stearate is sitting by itself in a lab test tube or mixed together with a bunch of other chemicals in Neutrogena Body Lotion avoid at all cost if you value your health! Also, be wary of PEG-100 Stearate/Ethylene Oxide in other cosmetic ingredient labels, it tends to be a frequently used ingredient.

The next lotion product is Lubriderm Daily Moisture, a product my entire family has been using for years. Unfortunately for us and anyone else who has used this product, it does contain a petroleum derivative among many other nasty ingredients. If you noticed with the Neutrogena petroleum derivative, many companies like to hide their petroleum ingredients behind code-names that the majority of everyday people like you and I aren’t going to even begin to comprehend or go the extra mile to try and understand its true nature.

The most common code-name used by the cosmetic industry for petroleum-derived ingredients? Mineral Oil. Not as complicated as “PEG-100 Stearate,” but still just as vague. The 2nd ingredient listed on the label of the Lubriderm bottle? Mineral Oil.

Truth be told, it is hard to find any beneficial ingredients in the entire list except for maybe water and even that is questionable because we do not know the source. Basically, Johnson & Johnson made watery petroleum, mixed a few extra synthetic chemicals in to create their desired texture and somehow interpreted the concoction as lotion. No joke, this sounds more like an experiment gone wrong from my high school chemistry class than it does an FDA approved skin care product that is actually recommended for daily use.

Obviously, Mineral Oil is terrible because it is petroleum based and, therefore, contains carcinogenic qualities. But, did you also know that Mineral Oil cannot be metabolized by the human body? Naturally your body is incapable of breaking down and utilizing a synthetic ingredient like Mineral Oil. Alternatively, it gets trapped inside your body by accumulating in your cells and tissues until it can be discarded from your body entirely. Typically, this “discard process” would happen through the passing of urine and stool, but since it can’t be metabolized, your body does not send Mineral Oil into your digestive system to be broken down and passed out of your body.

Instead, your body stores it and accumulates this toxin until it begins causing other problems that just might be detrimental to long-term health. The real issue begins when this accumulation starts to negatively impact those around you. Pregnant women, for example, should take extra care to avoid Mineral Oil and all petroleum derivatives during and after pregnancy (in general and for breast feeding purposes) if they do not want their newborn babies exposed, as well.

“Researchers removed fat specimens from 142 women who were undergoing C-sections, and collected milk-samples from them post-delivery. Scarily they found that both the fat and the milk were contaminated with mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons. The authors concluded: ‘The increase in MOSH [Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons] concentration in human fat tissue with age suggests an accumulation over time. Cosmetics might be a relevant source of the contamination’” (Beauty Editor).

Notice the word Beauty Editor uses to describe Mineral Oil and its presence in the human body…‘Contamination.’ The largest organ in the human body is the skin and it is covered in countless amounts of pores just waiting to absorb those toxins and/or nutrients your body comes into contact with on a daily basis. Long story short, petroleum derivatives contaminate your body just like they do the poor quality products they’re found in.

Lastly, we have Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion. I’d really like to know who is in charge of naming these products. It can’t be the scientists creating the formulas because there is no way they would consider the product they created in the lab to be ‘Ultra Healing’ no matter who the user is. Jergens’ ingredient label is much like Neutrogena’s and Lubriderm’s in that it also contains petroleum-derived ingredients. However, its level of toxicity is a bit greater due to the fact that the fourth ingredient is just straight up Petrolatum.

The biggest difference between Petrolatum and other petroleum-derivatives is the chemical makeup of the ingredient. Ingredients such as PEG-100 Stearate, Mineral Oil, etc. are formulated with many other ingredients, thereby diluted by extra additives and chemicals. Petrolatum happens to be a “byproduct of petroleum refining” (Safe Cosmetics) so there isn’t much to it other than petroleum. Some sources claim that when properly refined, Petrolatum is safe for use. Personally, I seriously doubt this statement because petroleum based ingredients never serve any beneficial purpose for the human body. I am yet to find one that is actually good and I have thoroughly researched a multitude of ingredients!

Safe Cosmetics also points out an alarming fact about the refining process: “With an incomplete refining history, petrolatum could potentially be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. PAHs are byproducts of organic material combustion, commonly stored in fats upon exposure due to its lipophilic properties. There is no way to confirm proper refinement unless a complete refining history is provided.”

So basically, unless Jergens forks over the refining history for the Petrolatum included in their ingredient label, all we know is that they may or may not have an ingredient in their lotion that is contaminated with toxic chemicals.

For obvious reasons, I am not convinced that the Petrolatum used by the Jergens Company is safe. Not to mention, this particular body lotion also contains Laureth-3 and Ceteareth-20, both of which are derived from ethylene oxide, a petroleum-derived ingredient found in PEG-100 Stearate and Neutrogena Lotion. If they’re willing to also use these poor-quality ingredients in their product, my guess is that their refining process is not quite to the standard required for non-contaminated Petrolatum.

If this information is not convincing you of just how bad this cosmetic product truly is, check out its product listing on the Jet website. Right below the Add to Cart button, you’ll notice a warning link for California Residents (although it pertains to residents across the globe) about Proposition 65.

Let’s shed some light on Prop 65…“California Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase. Proposition 65 entitles California consumers to warnings for products that contain chemicals known to California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm if those products expose consumers to such chemicals above certain threshold levels” (Jet.com). As a Californian, I appreciate the warning, but I also believe that potential consumers around the globe should be extended this same courtesy.

I’ve reached a point where I’m seriously wondering if there is any good news about Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion. Also, is it just me, or does naming a product with a Prop 65 Warning attached to it “Ultra Healing” seem like a bit of an oxymoron?

A few honorable mentions that should also be avoided like the plague are Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (contains Petrolatum), Aveeno Anti-Itch Concentrated Lotion (Petrolatum), Nivea Smooth Daily Moisture (Mineral Oil), and a new, but highly sought after product called Fasáli Unicorn Essence (Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Red 40, Red 33, Blue 1, Ethylene Oxide).

Even though I’m already aware of the extreme poor quality of the majority of products, it still shocks me the amount of just plain BAD ingredients that have been approved by the FDA and incorporated into everyday cosmetics. It has reached a point where I’m shocked when a petroleum derivative isn’t listed. Rock bottom doesn’t even begin to describe the current state our standards have reached; this includes both the consumer and the manufacturer. The consumer should never have to sacrifice their health when purchasing a product and manufacturers should never prioritize company income above merchandise quality.

Do not be put into a position where you have to choose between good or bad health just so you can have nourished skin…take the initiative to choose the right products the first time, starting with your lotion. The smallest step can have the largest impact on your long-term health, so why wait? Here is a list of clean alternatives, most of which are made from Organically grown ingredients. If you know of a product that you think should be included in this list, please comment below and I’ll check it out!

 

HEALTHY LOTION ALTERNATIVES:

 

 

100% Pure extra gentle baby lotion

100% Pure vanilla bean nourishing body cream

Calypso Glow coconut water 

Kopari coconut melt

Osmia Organics vanilla shea hand cream

S.W. Basics cream

White & Elm intense hydration cream

 

Lip Balm/Lipstick/Lip Gloss is a necessity for anyone wanting hydrated lips so I obviously had to dissect this product. It is a particularly important product in my day to day routine due to the fact that I live in a desert-type area of Southern California where it is insanely dry no matter the time of year. I definitely don’t leave the house without my lip balm! The biggest challenge, when it comes to this product, lies with the manufacturers and the ingredient label they produce.

More often than not, a product promising “moisture” and “protection” is actually delivering petroleum-based formulas that offer no benefit to the human body. So much for those kissable lips you were hoping for. In reality, you are exposing your body to petroleum derivatives by applying the lip balm to an area that, like the skin, also contains innumerable pores waiting to absorb whatever they come into contact with. And, to make matters worse, your body also ingests a portion of the petroleum-derived ingredients due to the location of the application area and its close proximity to the tongue and mouth. It’s a double whammy when it comes to this particular product.

Ignorance is never bliss when it comes to petroleum-based products. Exposing everyday brands for the true, poor quality of their products is the first step toward understanding so you can begin avoiding these products in the future.

To start, I’m going as basic as it gets with the Chapstick brand of lip balm. The marketing team put the same amount of effort into naming their product as the company itself put into the quality of their formula…zero! The ingredient label contains only 15 ingredients, which is a positive surprise. However, 14 of the ingredients are synthetic. Eight of which are considered carcinogenic. Another three of those ingredients are petroleum-derivatives. Those are some pretty scary ingredients used to create a product designed for application on the lips!

The complete ingredient label for Chapstick Moisturizer Original is as follows: aloe barbadensis leaf extract, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, fragrance, isocetyl stearate, isopropyl lanolate, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, methylparaben, mineral oil, paraffin, propylparaben, tocopheryl linoleate/oleate, vitamin E acetate, white wax.

The only ingredient with even the slightest chance of being non-synthetic is the aloe barbadensis leaf extract. However, the Chapstick Company does not reveal enough about their source to be 100% sure whether it is or is not synthetically derived. For now, we’ll just hope for the best and assume it came from a natural source.

Cetyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Mineral Oil, Paraffin, Propyl Paraben, Tocopheryl Linoleate, and Tocopheryl Acetate are all considered carcinogenic ingredients with contributing factors toward breast cancer, skin cancer, and lung cancer (Cancer Institute). Chapstick Original Formula contains three petroleum-derived ingredients. After listing off the 15 synthetic ingredients and 8 carcinogenic ingredients this doesn’t sound too bad. But, it is. Many times, cosmetic products will have only one petroleum-derivative, not three. Add in the fact that this product is for your lips, a very sensitive region for absorption, and it suddenly makes so much sense why cancer-rates have dramatically increased over the years.

In my personal life alone, there have been a multitude of cancer diagnoses just in the last two years. All have come as a complete shock. Every time I hear about a new diagnosis, I can’t help but wonder if it could have been prevented if healthier products, diet, and lifestyle were utilized.

Don’t wait until you’ve hit rock bottom to make a change. Don’t make the same mistake I made 8 years ago and wait for a serious diagnosis to make you rethink your current lifestyle. Make the change while you’re still healthy enough to do so. Make it now (with the supervision of a doctor, of course)!

Some of the smallest changes can have the most significant effect in the long run. Don’t make the same mistake I made 8 years ago and wait for a serious diagnosis to make you rethink your current lifestyle.

The next product on my list, EOS Lip Balm, is actually one that has done a very successful job at posing as a healthy product. However, by digging a little deeper into the ingredient labels of EOS Lip Balm products, one will discover the same synthetic ingredients that happen to be present in previously discussed poor-quality products also present in every flavor EOS has to offer. The standard 6 count pack of EOS Lip Balm includes the following flavors: Blackberry Nectar, Coconut Milk, Vanilla Mint, Vanilla Bean, Organic Pomegranate Raspberry, and Organic Sweet Mint. Although the EOS brand poses as “organic” and “healthy,” their product actually has a few dirty secrets.

All six flavors contain an ingredient called “Tocopherol,” also known as a Vitamin E derivative. Slightly lesser known as a petroleum derivative when procured from a non-organic source. Now, the ingredient label on the EOS product itself gives no indication whether the source is synthetic or natural. In fact, it happens to be lacking an asterisk, which typically classifies ingredients as organically derived. Based on this information, I can only assume that the origin for the EOS Company’s Tocopherol is definitely filled with pesticides and most likely raised as a synthetic product, therefore a petroleum derivative, as well. “Synthetic Vitamin E does not come from natural food sources and is generally derived from petroleum products” (Poulin-Grain).

In addition to Tocopherol, the EOS Lip Balm products also contain Natural Flavor (a code name for Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)), Plyglyceryl-3 Diiostearate (synthetic ingredient), Ascorbyl Palmitate (synthetic ingredient), Raspberry Leaf Extract (common Estrogen-increasing ingredient), and Sunflower Seed Oil (synthetic ingredient).

On the Walmart website, EOS Lip Balm is advertised as 100% Natural and 95% Organic, as if this is a healthy product. Unfortunately for EOS, the ingredient label they created contradicts both of these claims. In conclusion, the idea of this product is good, but the actual execution is nothing short of disappointing.

The next lip balm product is one that should be avoided at all cost. Carmex Lip Balm is more widely known as a medicated treatment for cold sores, but it also acts as a solution for dry, chapped lips. Unfortunately, Carmex has been a very popular product around my household for years. Once I began researching this product, I discovered that almost half of the balm is made from White Petroleum (45.3% to be exact (Carmex.com)), while the other half contains 1.70% Camphor (an ingredient also used in nail polish) and 10 other synthetic ingredients, including Paraffin and Phenol (Carmex.com).

As I discussed earlier, Paraffin is a petroleum derivative and serves no beneficial purpose to the human body. Phenol is a new discovery for me, but just its name alone sounded synthetic so I did a little research and actually discovered some pretty scary information!

According to PubChem, “Phenol is a toxic, colourless crystalline solid with a sweet tarry odor…Exposure of the skin to concentrated phenol solutions causes chemical burns which may be severe.” PubChem’s analysis sums up the ingredient as “Highly toxic and corrosive to the skin.”

Cosmetically, Phenol is used to remove layers of dead skin (PubChem), a convenient ability for any lip treatment most especially Carmex, but at what cost to the long-term health of the user? In conclusion, Carmex is a very toxic product that shouldn’t be used if you want to avoid petroleum-derivatives.

***Side Note: Please remember, I am not a doctor so any suggestions I make in this article should be viewed as my own personal opinion. It is always important to consult a doctor before making any changes to your daily routine.

 Okay, so this facet of the “Lip Balm” section is more for the ladies, but men should pay attention too because lipstick can make a nice gift and you want to make sure you get your lady a good-quality product. The only issue is that this can be a very difficult feat to accomplish. The majority of brands nowadays create a product filled with synthetic, carcinogenic, and petroleum-derived ingredients.

After researching three specific lipstick products, I noticed a recurring trend. Each product contains ingredients that, when viewed on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website, issue the same warning to users: ‘Organ System Toxicity (non-reproductive).’ The “non-reproductive” detail they include as an afterthought jumped out at me when I first read this article. I’m not quite sure if including this particular information is supposed to make the entire situation better somehow in the eyes of the EWG, but it still results in potential internal damage for us (the user) so that just seems silly.

Yet scientists at the FDA sit back and give it their stamp of approval because it doesn’t affect the reproductive organs. What about the other organs??!

The product may slowly kill its user, actually the organ system as a whole might take a hit from the consequences of this ingredient, but no worries on their part, they label this detail as a “Moderate” concern. We’re talking about people’s internal organs; I think it deserves to at least be marked as a “Critical” concern!

If you were ever curious about where the consumer ranks on the manufacturer’s list of priorities, this should shed some light on the reality of the situation…the consumer and his or her health is a moderate concern and is therefore treated as such when the chemical makeup of a product is being determined.

I don’t know about you, but this definitely makes me re-think some of the products I use and the companies I support when I purchase their products. Truthfully, I own a lot of lipstick and lip gloss…definitely more than I need because I still haven’t used half of them. After researching ingredients, I really just want to throw every single one of them away at this point. I know, I know, this sounds wasteful, but once I share with you what I have discovered, you’ll want to help me fill my trashcan with these products!

While I have quite the variety of brands and products, there are three somewhat unexpected products in particular that I have chosen to examine. For lipsticks, I have chosen to analyze Butter London Moisture Matte Lipstick, Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick, and BareMinerals Pop of Passion Lipstick.

 

 

To me, Butter London has always seemed like a healthier company than most. Their nail polish is free of a lot of the common toxic chemicals; I guess I hoped their lipstick would be formulated with the same effort and care. Unfortunately, I was wrong…Butter London’s lipstick contains nine (Yes, nine!) petroleum-derivatives: Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Red 27, Red 30 Lake, Red 33 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, and Blue 1 Lake. Each of these ingredients has also been deemed safe for use in food products, so be careful when purchasing products with artificial dyes because they just might contain one of these petroleum derivatives.

Next, we have Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick. As a drugstore brand, Maybelline made me less than hopeful for a good quality product. And though they do use eight petroleum derivatives in their product, it is still better than the Butter London formula! There is a $14.00 difference between the two lipsticks (Maybelline being $7.99 and Butter London being $22.00 (ulta.com)), yet the more expensive product is of poorer quality than the cheaper product. Apparently both products have been formulated without an incredibly vital ingredient…Logic.

The Maybelline lipstick contains the following petroleum derivatives: Microcrystalline Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Red 7, Red 28 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Red 22 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, and Blue 1 Lake. When you combine this list with the synthetic nature of every ingredient included on the label, you get a hot mess of a product that offers no real benefit to the consumer.

Lastly, we have BareMinerals Lipstick, which also contains eight petroleum derivatives. These are Hydrogenated Polyisobutane, Blue 1 Lake, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Red 27, Red 28 Lake, and Red 22 Lake. I feel like BareMinerals is another company that has tried to advertise as one with healthier aspirations, but missed their mark a bit when it comes to their follow through. My research only further confirms this observation.

If you’ll notice, the integrity of all three lipsticks is sacrificed when they begin adding synthetic dyes. It takes numerous “Lake” chemicals to reach that perfect shade they’re aiming for.

***Side Note: If you find any product (cosmetic or not) with “Lake” ingredients, keep in mind their petroleum base. They’re toxic and harmful to the human body regardless of form so it is best to avoid these whenever possible.

 Some other lipsticks with toxic/carcinogenic/petroleum-derived ingredients are Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Créme, Makeup Forever Rouge Créme, Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick, and NARS Cosmetics Lipstick.

Lip gloss is very similar to lipstick when it comes to chemical makeup. I know this article is pretty lengthy so I’ve only analyzed one lip gloss product. But the product I chose is one that should be made of the highest quality ingredients available based on price and brand name. Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lip Colour, though very effective as an “intense lipstick” (Nordstrom) or lip stain, contains fifteen petroleum-derived ingredients.

The ingredient list for Chanel Rouge Allure Ink (petroleum-derivatives only): Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isohexadecane, PEG-8, Tocopheryl, Parfum (Fragrance), Red 36, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Red 33 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Red 22 Lake, Red 28 Lake, and Red 30 Lake.

After reading through the product ingredient list, I’m tempted to return the lip gloss and get my $37.00 back. At the time of purchase, I had the mindset that good quality was guaranteed just because it was Chanel. Wrong again! The only thing you need to know about this lip gloss is that it’s toxic! Save yourself $37.00 and skip this product if you’re considering buying it. Simply based on Chanel’s synthetic formula, it is clear that this product belongs better in the trashcan than it does on your lips.

As a lipstick and lip gloss user myself, I understand the dilemma faced by any woman trying to cleanse her current stock of products. Replacing petroleum-laced products with natural products is no simple task! Let’s face it, we all need a good lipstick or lip gloss for work and play, but where do you find one?? All of those synthetic dyes (such as Red 6, Blue Lake 1, etc.) are standard ingredients in the majority of mainstream brands. So where are the healthy products with natural ingredients that work just as well as the synthetic ingredients?

Lucky for those of us trying to make a healthy change to our lipstick and lip gloss game, fruit pigmentation rather than synthetic pigmentation has recently grown in popularity. I’m certainly a fan! One brand in particular has done a marvelous job at utilizing the benefits of fruits and veggies within the cosmetic industry. It is called 100% Pure and they use fruit pigmentation in the majority of their makeup products, including lipstick. This immediately eliminates all synthetic dyes and guarantees a much better quality product right from the start. After in-depth research, I can confirm that no petroleum derivatives are used in 100% Pure lipstick products and all pigmentation is derived from Organic fruits (no need to worry about pesticides).

My only criticism for 100% Pure products is their use of “Organic Tocopherol.” You’ll notice with previously discussed lip products, I listed Tocopheryl/Tocopherol as a petroleum-derivative. So why is Organic Tocopherol so different from non-organic Tocopherol? Believe it or not, the chemical makeup is completely changed when it is produced organically because companies like 100% Pure derive their Tocopherol from soy instead of petroleum. While soy is a much better alternative to petroleum, it still isn’t a stellar ingredient to expose your body to on a daily basis. Contrary to popular belief, soy can actually be considered a very unhealthy ingredient due to its synthetic production process.

For epileptics, soy can irritate the brain and interrupt brain activity, which ultimately results in more seizures. So, although I do recommend 100% Pure lipstick, I also caution all of my readers to be wary of the soy-derived Tocopherol present in the product, especially those with a soy sensitivity.

S.W. Basics is another “natural” brand that excels at creating products with good quality ingredients and a very short ingredient list. For example, their Organic Lip Balm in Peppermint contains Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Beeswax, and Organic Peppermint Essential Oil…that’s it! Don’t believe me? Check out their full product listing here. S.W. Basics has quickly risen to the top of my list of favorites because every one of their products is exactly what it claims to be…basic. Not only is the brand USDA certified Organic, but they’re also Cruelty-free, which I love to see in every company I choose to support!

 

Healthy Lipstick Alternatives:

 

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lipstick 

100% Pure Cocoa-Butter Semi-Matte Lipstick

S.W. Basics Chapstick

S.W. Basics Salve

Tropical Traditions Lip Moisturizer

 

Once again, if you know of any healthy alternatives for lip balms, lipstick, or lip gloss please comment below. I am always interested in finding new products!

Lastly, I would like to discuss toothpaste. We all use it, but we all don’t necessarily know what products to buy that are healthy for your teeth, gums, and long-term health. Keep reading to discover some truly good quality products!

White teeth, something we all want but sometimes struggle to maintain. The Crest brand addressed this struggle when they created their Crest 3D White Toothpaste. However, Crest and the FDA fail to mention the fact that certain ingredients present in their toothpaste formula are also present in products such as Rat Poison and insecticides.

You’ll notice below in my list of sources I cite an article titled “5 Harmful Ingredients in Toothpaste” (which is a worth a read, by the way). Well, Crest 3D Toothpaste contains 4 out of 5 of those ingredients: Sodium Flouride, Blue 1, Sodium Lauryl Stearate/Sulfate, and Hydrated Silica.

Sodium Flouride, the only “active” ingredient in this toothpaste, is also a prime ingredient in rat poison. Fluoride is commonly misconstrued as a beneficial ingredient for teeth. Many toothpaste brands like to advertise the inclusion of this ingredient in their product, but your main goal when choosing a toothpaste brand should be finding one that is Fluoride-free.

“There are two types of fluoride: calcium fluoride and sodium fluoride. When taken in excess, both types can be harmful to health. Calcium fluoride is found naturally in underground water sources. In sufficient concentrations, it can actually weaken bones and teeth rather than protecting them. However, it is less toxic and damaging to health than its counterpart. Sodium fluoride is much more insidious. Created as a synthetic waste byproduct from fertilizer, aluminum and nuclear industries, this type of fluoride is added to many public water supplies. Already laden with lead, aluminum and cadmium, sodium fluoride has the ability to combine with other toxic materials and increase their potency. Far from healthy, the side effects of taking fluoride may have far-reaching negative effects on health as you will see, yet until recently it was advocated by both the American Dental Association and the US Public Health Service” (Dr.Axe).

As you’ve probably already come to realize, going Fluoride-free is both the healthier and safer option for your dental health. However, please remember that with a Fluoride-free product you aren’t necessarily “out of the woods” quite yet when it comes to the ingredient label, but it’s a good start.

Blue 1, a petroleum derivative and synthetic coloring agent is made entirely from petroleum and/or coal tar. It has also been deemed carcinogenic by the EWG. Basically, because of ingredients like Blue 1 you have to take your life into your hands just to brush your teeth.

Sodium Lauryl Stearate/Sulfate has been “linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation and endocrine disruption” (Livestrong). You know that foamy texture toothpaste gets while you’re brushing your teeth? It’s not because you have brushed for the right amount of time or even because you did a “good” job brushing. The only reason why there is any foam at all is because of Sodium Lauryl Stearate/Sulfate. I’m not trying to burst your bubble (no pun intended), but you’re getting synthetic foam when brushing with toothpaste brands like Crest. Watch out for this foaming agent in other products such as body washes, soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergent (Livestrong).

Hydrated Silica is a whitener that actually damages tooth enamel. In the “5 Harmful Ingredients Article,” this chemical is described as “an abrasive in toothpaste…scratching the surface of the tooth with an abrasive such as hydrated silica harms the enamel and prevents re-mineralization, much like using sand to clean glass.” Not only is Hydrated Silica a threat to your overall dental health, but it also offers no beneficial properties for long or short-term enamel health. It really is crazy to think that the product meant for the purpose of preventing dental decay could actually be accelerating this process.

Some other toothpaste brands to avoid are Colgate Optic White (3 petroleum derivatives), Sensodyne Fresh Gel (1 petroleum derivative), Arm & Hammer Toothpaste (2 petroleum derivatives), and Tom’s of Maine Natural Toothpaste (2 petroleum derivatives).

 

Healthy Toothpaste Alternatives:

Truthpaste Toothpaste

Coral White Toothpaste

Krista’s Natural Products Toothpaste

 

I used to trust commercial companies and the products they created wholeheartedly. I never gave it a second thought to check the ingredient label on the toothpaste I used or the lotion I kept on my nightstand because I had faith in these companies to provide me with something clean and beneficial. It took a diagnosis of epilepsy to wake me up to the fact that toxic formulas are more prevalent than healthy formulas these days. Whether it’s lotion, lip balm, or toothpaste, always be sure to scrutinize every label. You never know what ingredient might be hiding amongst the others.

If you’re looking to further cleanse the cosmetic products you are currently using, I suggest beginning with your deodorant. It is applied in a highly absorbable area and often times contains Aluminum. We get plenty of exposure to heavy metals on a daily basis; therefore, the last thing we should be doing is purposely applying one to our skin! Thanks to Reviews.com and their top ten list of all-natural deodorant products making this change has become even easier. The choice is yours, but please remember one very important fact…only you can make these beneficial changes to your beauty routine. The sooner, the better!

Please contact me via Instagram & Twitter (@seizethedayblog) or email me (katie@seizethedayblog.com) with any all-natural beauty products you are currently using! I love learning about new products! Thank you!

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Article Sources:

About Propylene Glycols: http://www.dow.com/propyleneglycol/about/

Arm & Hammer Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste / Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Arm-Hammer-Sensitive-Whitening-Toothpaste-with-Baking-Soda-4.5-oz/20850557#about-item

BareMinerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil-Balm: http://www.bareminerals.com/offers/last-chance/pop-of-passion-lip-oil-balm/US74669.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwrYbIBRCgnY-OluOk89EBEiQAZER58iE3lFDed62wz00HAPnateGLqHesTxqRghzpZpzk3XQaAikk8P8HAQ&cm_mmc=g-_-bm-ecom-_-allscreen-_-pb_g_bm-ecom_low_sall_shopping_allages_usa-nat_broad&cm_ven=Google&cm_ite=all&campaign=pb_g_bm-ecom_low_sall_shopping_allages_usa-nat_broad&cm_pla=74669&kw=-&cm_cat=GPS&device=c&gclsrc=aw.ds&adgroup=lips%20%7C%20makeup

Beauty Editor: http://beautyeditor.ca/2014/10/16/petroleum-mineral-oil-skin-products

Blue 1: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702408/FD%26C_BLUE_1/

Carmex Product: https://www.mycarmex.com/classic-lip-balm/original-jar/

Ceteareth-20 / Truth in Aging: https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/ceteareth-20

Cetyl Alcohol / Truth in Aging: https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/cetyl-alcohol

Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Collection / Nordstrom: http://shop.nordstrom.com/o/chanel-rouge-allure-ink-collection/4483169?origin=leftnav&cm_sp=Top%20Navigation-_-ROUGE%20ALLURE%20INK

Chapstick (Ingredient Label): http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=2590

ChemHeritage: https://www.chemheritage.org/the-history-and-future-of-plastics

Cocoon Apothecary / Petroleum Derivatives List: https://blog.cocoonapothecary.com/2010/06/25/get-petroleum-out-of-your-bathroom/

Coral White Toothpaste / Vitacost: https://www.vitacost.com/coral-llc-coral-white-toothpaste-mint

Dior Addict Lip Gloss / Makeup Alley: https://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=21043/Addict-Lip-Gloss-(All-Shades)/Dior/Lip-Gloss

Disteardimonium Hectorite / The Personal Formulator https://www.personalformulator.com/wvss/product_info.php?products_id=155

Dr. Axe:

– (Propylene Glycol) https://draxe.com/propylene-glycol/

– (Fluoride) https://draxe.com/avoiding-fluoride-and-how-to-detox-it-from-your-body/

EOS Lip Balm: https://www.boxed.com/product/551/eos-lip-balm-6-count-variety-pack?pf=3&gid=551&gclid=Cj0KEQjwioHIBRCes6nP56Ti1IsBEiQAxxb5Gyw_gMA8oDnEuNONQWLbwJemR5QhjV5bO43y8_Z8X2MaAqtE8P8HAQ

EOS Product: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Eos-.25-Oz-Balm-Moisturizing-Lip-Balm/132995508?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227049168522&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=146710557823&wl4=pla-259089918642&wl5=9031467&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=132995508&wl13=&veh=sem#about-item

Ethylene Oxide: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/ethylene-oxide

EWG:

– (Fragrance Ingredient) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702512/FRAGRANCE/#

– (Red 7 Lake) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701826/D%26C_RED_7_LAKE/#

– (Red 27) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701793/D%26C_RED_27/

– (Red 30 Lake) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701802/D%26C_RED_30_LAKE/

– (Red 33 Lake) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701805/D%26C_RED_33_LAKE/#

– (Microcrystalline Wax) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/703957/MICROCRYSTALLINE_WAX_(CERA_MICROCRISTALLINA)/

– (Dimethicone) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702011/DIMETHICONE/

– (Blue 1) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702408/FD%26C_BLUE_1/#

– (Propyl Paraben) http://www.ewg.org/research/propyl-paraben

Farsáli Unicorn Essence: http://www.sephora.com/unicorn-essence-P417141?skuId=1931526&icid2=products%20grid:p417141

Josie Maran Argan Lip Sting Plumping Butter: http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/argan-lip-sting-plumping-butter.html#.WQ5bThi-Lwd

Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion: http://www.jergens.com/products/daily-moisturizers/ultra-healing-extra-dry-skin-moisturizer.aspx

Krista’s Natural Products Toothpaste: http://www.kristasnaturalproducts.com/products/cinnamon-toothpaste

Laureth-3 / Cosmetics Info: http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/laureth-3

Live Strong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/256783-list-of-skin-care-products-that-contain-parabens/

MethylParaben / Truth in Aging:

https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/methylparaben

Paraffin Wax Livestrong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/274566-the-side-effects-of-paraffin-wax/

PEG-8 http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—peg-compounds-and-their-contaminants/

Petrolatum / Safe Cosmetics: http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/petrolatum/

Phenol Ingredient: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/phenol#section=Top

Polyisobutene / Paula’s Choice Skincare: http://www.paulaschoice.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/polyisobutene

Polysorbate 20: https://www.annmariegianni.com/ingredient-watch-list-polysorbate-20-it-may-be-contaminated-with-carcinogenic-14-dioxane/

Poulin Grain (Vitamin E): https://www.poulingrain.com/blog/vitamin-e-synthetic-or-natural/

Proposition 65 / Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion: https://jet.com/product/detail/3479b125ba16458ba7f73b652c126513?jcmp=pla:ggl:JD_cons_Cwin_Health__Beauty_a3:Health__Beauty_Skin_Care_Body_Moisturizers_a3:na:PLA_786357252_41412387112_pla-306115865200:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&gclid=CjwKEAjw3KDIBRCz0KvZlJ7k4TgSJABDqOK7vQBy5ddoXeJ7WYfBY-SHsDUBGZFtWuS8AuZFlVrrxRoCvJbw_wcB

Red 33: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701803/D%26C_RED_33/

Red 40: http://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/is-red-dye-40-toxic

Reviews.com: http://www.reviews.com/natural-deodorant/

S.W. Basics Lip Salve: https://store.swbasicsofbk.com/collections/face/products/3-pack-salve

S.W. Basics Organic Lip Balm: https://store.swbasicsofbk.com/collections/face/products/beeswax-lip-balms

Sensodyne Toothpaste / Livestrong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/248944-ingredients-in-sensodyne-toothpaste/

Sephora:

– (Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick) http://www.sephora.com/amuse-bouche-lipstick-P405057?skuId=1823277

– (Makeup For Ever Aqua Rouge Liquid Lipstick) http://www.sephora.com/aqua-rouge-P374940

Sodium Lauryl Stearate/Sulfate / Livestrong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/174367-dangers-of-sodium-lauryl-sulfate/

Sunflower Oil / U.S. News: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2014/01/03/the-shocking-truth-about-sunflower-oil

Tropical Traditions Lip Moisturizer: https://healthytraditions.com/tropicaltraditions/skin-care-products/lip-moisturizers.html

TruthPaste Toothpaste: https://www.truthpaste.com/products/truthpaste

Truth in Aging: https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/peg-100-stearate

Ulta Beauty:

– (Butter London LIPPY Moisture Matte Lipstick) http://www.ulta.com/lippy-moisture-matte-lipstick?productId=xlsImpprod10991289&sku=2277734&cmpid=PS_Non!google!Product_Listing_Ads&cagpspn=pla&CATCI=pla-18283950120&CAAGID=18002902230&CAWELAID=330000200000187669&catargetid=330000200000190441&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQjwrYbIBRCgnY-OluOk89EBEiQAZER58o8RuceR33mIwosLWjnzaJqxxwo7ZtIZPFjp_laFf-EaAq4-8P8HAQ

– (Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick) http://www.ulta.com/color-sensational-creamy-matte-lip-color?productId=xlsImpprod11351217

100% Pure Cosmetics: https://www.100percentpure.com

5 Harmful Ingredients in Toothpaste: http://www.ebay.com/gds/The-5-Harmful-Ingredients-in-Toothpaste-READ-THIS-/10000000003239604/g.html

Let’s Talk About Petroleum Part 1: Bedding

You’re probably wondering why I’m discussing this particular topic; maybe you’re thinking it’s a bit too controversial for a health & wellness blog. However, I would like to discuss a non-political and lesser-known facet of the subject matter at hand…Petroleum. For the next three weeks I am going to be posting a three-part series on Petroleum and how it is related to our daily lives in unexpected ways. For some, its prevalence may be shocking, for others it may be common knowledge…in my opinion, all should be aware of the widespread predicament petroleum manufacturers have carelessly placed people in across the globe. In this way, hopefully we will be able to combat its presence in our own lives and spread the word so that other people can do the same. Let’s just dive right in, shall we? For Part One, I would like to discuss Bedding, a commercial product commonly found in practically every home worldwide.

When I first heard about this connection, I thought it ridiculous and laughed the entire notion off, thinking it was nothing more than some crazy person’s superstition that had clearly gotten out of hand. The truth is, it was easier to chalk it all up to “ridiculous” fiction rather than accepting it is as fact because then I’d actually have to do something about my current lifestyle! I’d need to consider the effect it could be having on my health, make changes where change is absolutely necessary, spend money (God forbid) on new bedding, and most of all, make more of an effort to read the ingredient labels of products beyond the food industry. Please don’t make the same mistake I did when I first heard this news, keep reading because it will only help you and your family to become more informed on the subject!

At this point, some of you may be thinking ‘How on earth could there be a connection between petroleum and bedding??’ A completely natural inquiry, might I remind you. Especially since most people are tricked into believing that petroleum is limited to the oil/fuel industry when, in actuality, petroleum derivatives extend into a multitude of other industries as well (including but not limited to Cosmetics, Textiles, and Food).

So, before I begin answering this question I would like to first shed a little light on what exactly “petroleum” contains and the not-so-stellar chemical makeup of this product. I feel as though a brief history is necessary in order to fully convey the truly appalling quality of certain mainstream products pertaining to the bedding industry.

For starters, “Petroleum is a general term for oil and natural gas. Oil and gas are important fossil fuels formed from the decomposition and pressurization of algae, plankton and other organisms. This process forms hydrocarbons, which are compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon that are powerful combustible fuels. Individual deposits of oil and gas can also contain other compounds, but it is the hydrocarbons that make them valuable” (AAPEA).

According to Earth Science Week, “A typical 42-gallon barrel of crude oil yields about 20 gallons of gasoline and 4 gallons of jet fuel.” They go on to pose the question, “What products come from the other 18 gallons?” Well, the complete answer to this question would take a while to form due to the lengthiness of the list. So instead, here are just a few items to give you a well-rounded idea: Plastics, Ink, Paint, Bug Killer, Ammonia, Vaseline, Novelty Candy, and Crayons.

Reading this list is informative at first glance, but just plain scary at second glance! Companies rarely name the specific “petroleum” ingredients in their product(s), therefore, I can’t help but wonder if the same petroleum derivative found in Bug Killer (poison) & Ammonia (very toxic chemical) has also been used to make novelty candy. How can that be safe?! My guess is that it isn’t, but somehow manufacturers have slipped under the radar of organizations like the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) with their toxic products and without any concern for the health of their customers. Sadly, this has become the norm for many companies and is part of the reason why Petroleum is now in random products such as bedding!

Lastly, I would like to remind every reader of the carcinogenic (cancer causing) qualities of petroleum. “Gasoline contains large numbers of dangerous and cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene, butadiene, toluene, ethylbenzene, yxlene, trimethyl pentane, methyltertbutylether (MTBE) and many others. For the U.S. alone approximately 140 billion gallons of gasoline were consumed in 1989. An increase in only ten cents per gallon in price of gasoline generates 14 billion dollars in extra profit per year for the oil industry cartel. Laboratory animals exposed to gasoline developed cancers in different tissues and organs. A number of epidemiological studies in humans provide evidence of increased cancer risk of leukemia, kidney, liver, brain, lymphosarcoma, lymphatic tissue pancreas and other tissues and organs” (Mehlman MA / Teratog Carcinog Mutagen). All petroleum products come from the same source, therefore, Petroleum, whether in the form of gasoline or as a highly processed derivative, should be avoided whenever possible.

So, after reading these quite disgusting details on petroleum does it make you want to double-check those sheets and blankets currently covering that mattress of yours? I hope so! My current dilemma with the companies selling these types of bedding products is the burning questions of HOW exactly did an ingredient made from petrol end up on the label for blankets??? Sure, it may save them money in the long run, but at what cost to human life?

Consider this: if the average person gets around 7-8 hours of sleep every night, that allows 7-8 hours of skin to product contact with whatever blankets, sheets, or bedspreads he or she happens to be using.

Now consider this: The skin happens to be the largest organ in the body and easily absorbs both toxins and nutrients through the pores. Obviously, this is a good thing when we want to feed our body nutrients, but it becomes quite the issue when toxins are involved because like any other organ, the skin has a specific duty to perform in order to keep the body in tip-top shape. In this case, the skin disperses said ingredients throughout the body, into the digestive tract where it can be determined as useful or harmful, and then toward the appropriate organ.

Unfortunately, coming in contact with some amount of toxins already happens to be an inescapable part of daily life due to natural (and slightly uncontrollable) causes (such as air pollution, for example), therefore, we might as well try to reduce pollution in the areas of our lives that we can control. This is when bedding comes into the picture. We can control the quality of blankets and sheets we expose ourselves to and whether or not our systems are absorbing toxins or nutrients.

Truth be told, our bodies come in contact with too many toxins as it is, therefore, adding to this toxin exposure does not improve our chances of winning the fight against a toxic environment! We win when we surround ourselves by beneficial products!

So, let’s talk about how to do this.

First of all, if these companies can turn petrol products into bedding materials than I’m sure they are creative enough to figure out a healthy alternative that could actually benefit human life! Can I get an amen?!

Of course, presenting companies with an idea like this is comparable to talking to a brick wall, but I hope for my readers it will come across as a rare look inside the honeycomb. Seeing the inner-workings of what seems like such an innocent product will hopefully prompt change amongst the families currently using what are actually really very harmful products.

In our world today, we hear about many children developing learning disabilities and too many people, in general, becoming deathly ill at every age. Cancer is a word that has become much too common in the everyday vocabulary of people worldwide.

The current definition of “Toxin” (as found in Webster’s Dictionary) is “an antigenic poison or venom of plant or animal origin, especially one produced by or derived from microorganisms and causing disease when present at low concentration in the body.”

Petroleum products are, in my opinion, toxins. At this point, I think the only question we need to be asking ourselves is, “Do we want to purposefully, knowingly, and intentionally expose ourselves to toxins for 7-8 hours on a daily basis by using bedding containing petroleum derived ingredients?”

Based on the fact that healthy lifestyle choices are a growing trend (just look at the expansion of organic products now found in your average grocery store), I’m going to assume that the majority of the population would answer “No” to this question. Which is fantastic! But, how do you become truly healthy when companies make it practically impossible to know the truth behind their products?

For me, personally, it has become all about digging as deep as I can go with a product because, thanks to the internet, there are people trying to find out the exact same answers as me! And there are even more helping to clear up these kinds of questions all together by sharing the answers they have found. There are some who might respond to my avid research with a snarky remark like “Curiosity killed the cat,” not-so-subtly hinting at the notion that I’m over-stepping my right as a consumer…Umm, what?! As the consumer, I think I have the right to know what exactly a product contains before I spend MY money on it! In all honestly, if I’m not curious then my cat might die anyway from sleeping on the toxic bedding products! Trust me when I say this isn’t taking a famous mantra too literally…

I’m very sorry to inform my readers that the bedding most often containing petroleum-derived ingredients (Or, as my Mom likes to call it, “Sludge”) are the super soft and fuzzy blankets. You know, the warm, cozy ones that can turn even the most active human being into a Grade A couch potato? I believe the technical term is “Fleece.”

By digging a little deeper into the chemical makeup of fleece blankets, one will discover two main types: Synthetic Fleece and Cotton Fleece. While both can be bad if you do not purchase Organic Cotton Fleece, Synthetic Fleece is the worse choice of the two.

Essentially, Synthetic Fleece is exactly what it claims to be: synthetic, fake, artificial, faux. It is made to look, feel, and act like real, natural fleece, but what lies beneath the surface is actually a collection of imposter ingredients, one being petroleum.

***Side Note: I would like to think that petroleum derivatives began being used in an attempt to be more efficient with leftover ingredients that really should be thrown away in some special dump area covered with those bright orange “Warning! Hazardous!” signs (kind of like an insane recycling attempt gone-wrong), but I just can’t ignore those nagging suspicions in the back of my mind, causing me to see it more as an irresponsible scheme that increases paychecks for CEOs of large corporations and leaves us, the consumer, with the short end of the stick. Food for thought…

The truth is, synthetic fabrics have been in use for quite a while and actually date way back before the 21st century (“How Products are Made” // madehow.com). Is the word ‘Polyester’ familiar to any of my readers??? Personally, whenever I hear this word I am instantly reminded of those perfectly creased, brightly colored pants my Grandma used to wear. I never knew one style of pants could come in so many different colors!

The last thing I think of is petroleum, but without fail it manages to pop up here, as well. “Polyester is made by reacting terephthalic acid, a petroleum derivative, with ethylene glycol, another petroleum derivative (commonly known as anti-freeze). When the two chemicals are combined at a very high temperature, they form a new chemical known as a polymer” (How Products are Made, madehow.com). It is still commonly found in a variety of clothing products, but back in the 1940s when it was first created (madehow.com), Polyester was a dream come true to people world-wide. My own Great-Grandmother called it “the greatest invention the world has ever seen” because it refused to wrinkle when washed and dried. Little did she know it was actually laced with both toxic and harmful ingredients!

Fast forward to the 1980s when interest in recycling plastics had sky-rocketed…everyone wanted a piece of this action (clearly it was before BPAs had come onto the scene), including the Polyester Manufacturers! They were already using petroleum-derived ingredients, why not throw some plastic into the mix? And that is exactly what they did! With recycled soda bottles.

As it turns out, the afore mentioned chemical compound called polymers (crucial in the production of polyester), can also be turned into polymer fibers when adding recycled plastic bottles. What we end up with is a thick syrup substance that is currently used to create polyester, polyester fleece garments, and new plastic bottle products! (For more details on this process please visit the How Products are Made website, link available below in the “Sources” section).

Although the production process for each of these products is absolutely horrendous, I’m focusing on bedding in this article, therefore, I would like to take a moment to review just how bad synthetic fleece blankets truly are.

Right off the bat we have a 100% man-made item on our hands that not only contain petroleum-derivatives from the polyester, but incorporates recycled plastic materials into its foundation, as well.

Do we know if the plastics being used contain BPAs? How about if (whether or not) the previous products housed in these recycled plastic containers were Organic? For argument’s sake, let’s say they were not Organic because then we have to consider if the recycled plastics were properly cleaned before they were used again. Especially if the second product happens to be Organic, no one paying for an Organic product wants leftover pesticides contaminating it.

Research has found that recycled plastic containers do contain a certain percentage of the previous product housed due to absorption of the production into the makeup of the plastic container itself. So many questions, so few answers. What we do know is that petroleum derivitives and plastics (therefore, BPAs) do exist in much of the bedding currently being sold, today.

When I’m shopping for new sheets, blankets, or other bedding necessities, I have found it best to avoid polyester and fleece no matter what! I try to stick to the basics and choose products I know to be good quality. 100% Organic Cotton is always your best option. So, at the end of this article I will share a few of my favorite companies and a few I prefer to avoid.

Before I learned this tragic fact, the cabinet in my own living room used to be full of these types of blankets! My bed even used to have one in between the sheet and the duvet. To me, no bed seemed complete without a super fuzzy blanket! Isn’t that terrible?! I was blinded by appearance; I never stopped to consider exactly what went in to making this specific set of sheets or that particular bedspread. My first mistake was automatically assuming that everything is probably “good enough” since it’s being sold in a legitimate store.

Naivety took over and made me picture these blankets coming from sheep hair. I don’t know what made me make such a crazy assumption. I guess it just seemed really simple to shave a sheep (in a humane way, of course) and use it’s hair for something like a soft blanket. Boy was I wrong!

Maybe this is how soft blankets are made in a Disney fairytale (woodland creatures do seem to appear in great quantities so it wouldn’t be that crazy of a notion), but unfortunately our world has found petroleum to be more procurable. Consequentially, here we are, with sludge blankets to cuddle up with.

Although things have taken a depressing turn, I’m very happy to inform all of my readers that this is NOT the end of my story and a happy ending does exist for those of us interested in eliminating the toxic bedding from our households!

It is called Organic Cotton and it has been used to create 100% Organic Cotton sheets, blankets, duvets, and pillows! Not only is it derived from organically grown cotton plants, but the products made contain 0% petroleum, as well! Amazing, right?

Make sure you’re careful to buy only 100% Organic Cotton bedding because products not grown organically will be full of pesticides, hormones, and who knows what else!

I have found a few manufacturers that are reliable when it comes to the quality of their products. I will share this list shortly. First, please know that I am in no way linked to these companies nor do I receive any kind of compensation for mentioning them. The list you see below is comprised only of companies that sell products of the utmost quality. I have thoroughly researched each company and I even own a few blankets from two of the mentioned companies, Magnolia Organics and Glo-Organics. Needless to say, I am very happy with my purchase!

When it comes to the blankets on my bed, I am very particular….maybe it’s just me, but during the winter I need more than sheets and a comforter to keep me warm! If any of my readers happen to share this preference, I recommend Coyuchi’s “The Organic Bed” collection. Their organic cotton woven blankets are perfect for layering on your bed. They do the job perfectly without being too heavy. Plus, they offer organic flannel sheets, which I absolutely LOVE during winter! Switching to Organic bedding does NOT mean you have to sacrifice comfort!

You will have to spend a little more for any Organic bedding product available on the market, today. I know this is a huge bummer, but you will save money in the long-run by switching to Organic sheets, blankets, and mattresses. You save money on medical bills when you’re no longer exposing yourself and your families to toxic ingredients. You also save yourself a lot of emotional stress and heartache dealing with the suffering linked with sickness, whether it be you or a loved one! So, going Organic can be thought of as a pro-health/longevity protocol of sorts. The good thing is that you don’t have to “Go Organic” all at once. Making the change gradually is also fantastic for your future health! As long as you’re decreasing your toxin exposure, you’re making positive changes within your household! Kick-start this change by checking out the companies listed below!

Organic Companies:

Coyuchi (Blankets, Sheets, Duvets, Pillows, Comforters, Mattresses, Mattress Pads)

Magnolia Organics (Bedding, Nursery, Towels)

The Company Store (Bedding, Towels)

Glo-Organics (Bedding, Nursery, Mattresses, Clothing)

Garnet Hill (visit their Organic Store for a variety of bedding products)

Pottery Barn (“Down Blend” insert and flame retardant-free options for furniture)

For more Organic recommendations, check out Apartment Therapy’s articles, “The 10 Best Organic Bedding Sources” and “The 10 Best All-Natural and Organic Mattress Sources.”

I hope these suggestions have been helpful to all of my readers! Also, If you know of any 100% Organic Cotton bedding companies that I failed to mention please share on Twitter or Instagram (@seizethedayblog)! I know I would appreciate it and I’m sure your fellow readers will, as well!

 

Source List:

Down Linens: http://www.downlinens.com/pages/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-fleece-blanket
How Products Are Made: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Polyester-Fleece.html
Coyuchi: https://www.coyuchi.com/organic-bedding/blankets-throws.html
Coyuchi Blog: https://www.coyuchi.com/the-naturalista/bedding_basics/
Organic Cotton Plus: http://organiccottonplus.com
Webster’s Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toxin
APPEA/The Voice of Australia’s Oil and Gas Industry: https://www.appea.com.au/oil-gas-explained/oil-and-gas/what-is-petroleum/
Earth Science Week: http://www.earthsciweek.org/classroom-activities/products-made-petroleum
Mehlman MA/Carcinogenic Qualities: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1981951

 

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